Gamble

MARGAUX

Finding myself entering in an intense hand combat, I realized how big of a gamble I was making. I have heard that the guy in front of me was a great fighter. It was how he had begun to earn his title as the Mafia Boss of this little crew.

How I found them? Well, people usually talk when you know how to find your way around them. It was how I found Rhythm, the name of their group which was the name of the bar too.

When I had first seen the pictures of the building after getting enough information from some little bird, I had a feeling that it was a front. The bar is under the ownership of one Nicolo Santos. However, I knew that Nicolo Santos isn't really the owner. It was a front too.

Mary and I had been on the run for a year now. It wasn't easy having to hide from Takahashi and his goons. Everywhere I looked, I could see in my peripheral vision Takahashi's men catching up to us.

In all honesty, I think that he was continuously searching for me and Mary. Aside from having the need to get rid of me, I knew that Takahashi wanted Mary back. In between the two reasons, I think that he was more desperate to find Mary and have her by his side once more comparable to his thirst to have my blood spilled by his hands.

Given that at any time I might or Mary might come across Takahahi's men, whether a Yakuza or my fellow citizen who chose to betray not only my family but the entire country for that matter, both me and Mary had to change our physical appearances.

For Mary's case, she had dyed her hair black. I was amazed by how much that had changed how she looked.

I was used to Mary's blonde dyed hair, it had taken me a few days to adjust to seeing her with a black one. In my case, my hair was already black. Instead of dyeing it to have a different hair color, I chose to cut it instead.

My once long hair was not that long anymore. I almost had a pixie cut. But I thought that it would be too much of a heartbreak if I did that.

My mother had wanted it long. She said it looked better on me compared with a short one. I remembered once when I visited a parlor and I was with Mary and I didn't know what to do with my hair so I asked the stylist to do what he would see fit to it.

That day, I went home with a bob cut and my mother went hysterical upon seeing it. To be honest, it wasn't so bad. But then, my mother was just a little dramatic. Since then, I never tried to cut my hair that short. Until now.

Together with changing our appearances, Mary and I were always on the lookout, always ready. Anyone and anybody around us can be a spy and I can't afford to be found until my preparation to win the war against Takahashi was set.

Though I couldn't trust anyone in the Mafia community right now after what had happened with my family, I was willing to take a risk.

Compared to the Japanese Yakuza, this little Mafia crew might not be enough to take them down. However, I had to start somewhere. If it was possible for me to take Takahashi and his entire Yakuza by myself, I would.

Unfortunately, it was a little impossible. I might succeed in eliminating the first half of Takahashi's men. But ultimately, somewhere in the middle, I knew that he could easily overtake me. I'd be too weary by the time I would reach Takahashi and that doesn't sit well with me. I didn't want to give him any advantage. Nope, never. Not again.

"You should give up now, Missy, while I'm still contemplating," I scoffed. I would have laughed like mad if this guy wasn't watching me closely.

It was safe to assume that he was most likely looking for an opening, the cut on his lower lip seemed to have made him look more badass than I had first thought of him.

"Where I came from, giving up is not an option," cocking his head to one side without breaking eye contact with me, I waited for him to say something.

"You're still not going to tell me anything about yourself," I chuckled.

"Win this fight and I might disclose my identity. If you're lucky," dodging away from his attempt to do another right jab, I was sensing that he was still trying to read me. Apparently, he was still holding back.

"You make a hard bargain,"

"Why? Are you scared of hurting me?" At this, a certain look seemed to cross his face. I had a feeling that my theory was right.

"You are," I murmured.

This seemed to have greatly distracted him. I took that as an opportunity to hit him. However, this time, he was ready. He had my attempt blocked with his hands, a faint smile was curved on his lips.

"Nice try," he said.

"You're getting good. Are you done with your assessment yet?" I can't help but smirk.

"At least tell me your name. I'm Kevin,"

"Rose," I said almost automatically, remembering Mary calling me that name earlier. It was enough to keep me motivated. I think it was one of the factors that gave me enough strength to stand my ground from the fights before this one.

Right now, I was still hyped. Later, I knew that my body would eventually feel the exhaustion from what I had been doing today. Yet, I can't afford to think of resting unless I get Rhythm to work with me.

Much as I didn't like to involve anybody else in this fight with the Japanese Yakuza, I had no other choice. I can't let them win. I can't let Takahashi win. Whatever it takes, I'm going to stop him.

So this little gamble? It's more than worth it.